Utah Jazz: Focus shifts to defense

A movie-theater-like marquee has not been installed outside the Utah Jazz's practice facility.

But if one goes up soon at the Zions Bank Basketball Center, don't be surprised if it reads something like this:

"Now showing: The Hustler, Fast & Furious, and Bring It On."

They're all rated D for defense, of course.

Two-thumbs-down movie puns aside, Jazz players and coaches are spending a lot of time in the film room this year. It isn't to watch Hollywood's latest flick, either.

Tired of viewing their guys play defense like they were acting out the titles of movies such as "Dazed and Confused" and "Superbad," the coaching staff decided to make the team watch more footage of scrimmage sessions and games this season.

The Jazz's cozy in-house movie theater doesn't come equipped with popcorn machines or candy selections like their owner's many megaplexes.

But Jazz players are embracing the matinees.

After all, they don't want this year to be a sequel to last year's defensive flop.

"We're focused on it a lot," Carlos Boozer said. "We're watching a lot more tape."

Not long ago considered one of the stingiest and feistiest defenses in the league, the Jazz D has steadily gotten worse over the past four years. Last year's team struggled on the court about as much as Paris Hilton does on the big screen. The Jazz allowed 100.9 points per game, marking the first time Utah foes have averaged triple-digit scoring since 1992-93.

Deron Williams was surprised how little time the Jazz spent in film sessions in his first four years. Coach Jerry Sloan admits it, too. That coaching method just hasn't been his style. He'd rather make players learn and improve on the court during intense practices.

And that still happens, of course.

But the Hall of Famer is trying to adapt to the YouTube generation of players now on his roster who like the help of visual aids so they can see a picture of how to play better defense.

Williams admires Sloan for being "old school," but the point guard also likes that he is going out of his comfort zone to help the Jazz find a more comfortable defensive zone, so to speak.